Lip-protector for horses



(No Model.)

P..N.IFANGHBR. LIP PROTECTOR POR HORSES.

Patented Feb. 4, 189YO.

' Immun/foie mmm/2 3y Qy/Z'/ w WYJV'ESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

FREEMAN N. FANOHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIP-PROTECTOR FOR HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 420,721, dated February 4, 1890. Application filed November 13 1889. Serial No. 330,170. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREEMAN N. FANCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illino1s, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lip-Protectors for Horses; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to an improved device for protecting the lips of horses and preventing the cutting of the same incident to the employment of a bit.

The object of my invention is to provide a device whereby the ends of the bit are prevented from rubbing or cutting the lips and with these and other obj ects in view it consists in the improved construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully pointed out and described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a perspective view showing my improved device applied to a bit in position within the horses mouth. Fig. 2 is an edge plan view of the device, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, the let-ters A A represent the side plates of my device, said plates being of an approximately U-shaped form and having their lower ends bifurcated to form rounded or curved recesses a c.. The two members or arms formed by these bifurcated ends are represented, respectively, by the letters a a2, the arms ormembers a being somewhat shorter than the arms a2, which latter are curved upwardly, so as to come in close proximity to the ends of arms c', a space of about one-fourth of an inch (more or less) intervening. The two plates A A are connected by a transverse strip B,which may either be formed integralwith said plates or separate therefrom, in which oase of course rivets or other suitable fastening means must be employed. I

rubber. owing to the flexibility of this mate.

rial, whereby it may be securely clamped in position. It is understood, however, that I do not confine myself to this material, as it is obvious that practice may demonstrate that other material maybe employed with equally good results.

In adjusting the invention to themouth cfa horse all that is necessary to be done is simply to insert one of the side plates into the mouth of the animal and pass the same upward until the concavo-convex transverse strip reaches the corner of the mouth. It will then be found that the two plates will embrace the cheek of the animal, and when the plates are made of rubber or other elastic material the elasticity will. have the effect of securely clamping the plates in position. Upon the opposite side of the mouth is also placed one of the protectors in a similar manner as just described. After this the bit may be readily inserted, which is accomplished by passing the same between the ends of the arms a a2. Owing to the closeness with which these ends come together, it may be necessary to spread them apart slightly for the insertion of the bit; but the material being iiexible this is very readily and easily done. After the bit is thus placed in position it will be found that the same lits snugly within the recesses a a and against the concave portion of the transverse connecting-strip, and, owing to the upward curvature of the lower member or arm a2, is prevented from dropping or falling out of position. Furthermore, the iiexibility of the material which I prefer to employ serves also to clamp the bit.

Instead of first adjusting the protectors within the mouth, if found more convenient, the protectors may be adj usted to the bit and IOC the bit and protectors inserted simultaneously. By thus securing the bit firmly in position at the upper corners or angles of the mouth important advantages are obtained. Heretofore, as is well known, the bithas come in direct contact with the lips, and, owing to no means beingemployed for holding the bit securely in one position at the upper end of the mouth, the same, owingto constant slight movement, created considerable friction and rubbing, rendering a bit an exceedingly nncomfortable and even cruel device for the purpose, and resulting in soreness and other equally deleterious efects. By the employlnent of my device not only are the lips and corners of the mouth protected,but the inner side of the cheek is prevented from being constantly pressed inward against the double teeth or grinders of the animal, as the inner plate when in position is interposed between these teeth and the inner side of the cheek. In this manner severe soreness and laceration is prevented, which heretofore has been a great difficulty in the employment of bits. Further, the two plates, while acting as a clamp, at the same time hold the cheeks lirm and prevent wrinklin g or creasing of the same, which also is a common disadvantage now experienced.

My device is furthermore exceedingly simple in construction, inexpensive of production, can be applied to almost any style or shape of bit, and is most effective for the purpose intended.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. As an improved article of manufacture, a lip-protector for horses, consisting of two plates having their lower ends provided with registering open-ended recesses and connected immediately above said recesses by a transverse strip, substantially as set forth.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, alip-protector for horses, consisting of two plates having their lower ends provided with registering open-ended recesses connected immediately above said recesses by atransverse strip concave-convex in cross-section, substantially as set forth.

3. As an improved article of manufacture, a lip-protector for horses, consisting of two flexible plates having their lower ends provided with registering open-ended recesses, one of the arms formed by said recesses being longer than the opposite arm and curved upward, so as to bringthe ends of the arms in close proximity, the two plates connected immediately above said recesses byatransverse strip concave-convex in cross-section, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my si gnature in presence of two witnesses.

FREEMAN N. FANCHER.

Witnesses:

C. P. JONES, A. L. MoRsELL. 

